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Safety precautions for home

Fires

• Consider you and your family’s safety and ability to escape (https://www.statefarm.com/simple-insights/residence/talking-about-fire-safetywith-your-children) from the fire.

• Plan at least two ways to get out of any room.

• Agree on a meeting place outside where everyone can gather.

Get the most protection out of your smoke alarm

Alarm type

• Battery-powered alarms may use a nine-volt battery or 10-year lithium battery.

• Hard-wired smoke alarms operate on the home’s electrical system and include a battery backup in case of power failure.

• For the hearing-impaired, smoke alarms with an audible alarm and bright flashing lights are available.

• Make sure your alarm is listed or approved by an independent testing laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL) (https://www.ul.com/).

• Follow manufacturers’ recommendations on when to replace smoke alarms.

Installation

• To install a battery-powered alarm, all you need is a drill and screwdriver.

Always follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions.

• Hard-wired alarms should be installed by a qualified electrician. All hard-wired smoke alarms should be interconnected: If one alarm is activated, all alarms will sound.

• Install a smoke alarm in each bedroom (https://www.statefarm.com/simpleinsights/safety/how-does-your-home-measure-up-for-fire-safety).

• Never install a smoke alarm too close to windows, doors, vents, or ceiling fans where drafts could blow smoke away from an alarm.

• If you have questions about where to install your alarms, contact your local fire department. Many departments will conduct home smoke alarm inspections for free or a minimal fee.

Testing/maintenance

• If you have standalone battery-powered alarms, test them once a month and replace the batteries once a year.

• Make sure that everyone in your household knows the sound of the alarms.

• Never paint any part of a smoke alarm.

• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions when cleaning your alarms. Dust and debris can usually be removed by using a vacuum cleaner attachment.

Have a fire extinguisher handy

To operate a fire extinguisher, remember the word PASS: Pull the pin and release the locking mechanism. Aim the nozzle low and at the base of the fire. Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly. Sweep the nozzle from side to side.

• Select a multi-purpose Class ABC extinguisher that is large enough to put out a small fire, but not so heavy as to be difficult to handle.

• Read the instructions that come with the fire extinguisher and become familiar with its parts and operation before a fire breaks out. Local fire departments or fire equipment distributors often offer hands-on fire extinguisher training.

• Install fire extinguishers close to an exit and keep your back to a clear exit when you use the device so you can make an easy escape if the fire cannot be controlled. If the room fills with smoke, leave immediately.

• Know when to go. Fire extinguishers are one element of a fire response plan, but the primary element is safe escape.

• Remember that each extinguisher must be serviced annually and may need to be recharged.

Consider a home fire sprinkler system

• Residential fire sprinkler systems (https://homefiresprinkler.org/) provide added protection above smoke alarms and fire extinguishers.

• Fire sprinklers immediately respond to a fire while it is still small — controlling

the spread of deadly heat, flames, and toxic smoke whether or not the occupants have appropriately responded to the signaling smoke alarm.

• These sprinklers are smaller than commercial or industrial sprinklers and can fit in with almost any décor.

• During home construction or remodeling, a home fire sprinkler system (https://www.statefarm.com/simple-insights/residence/automatic-sprinklersystems) can be cost effective.

Disclosures

State Farm (including State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates) is not responsible for, and does not endorse or approve, either implicitly or explicitly, the content of any third party sites hyperlinked from this page. State Farm has no discretion to alter, update, or control the content on the hyperlinked, third party site. Access to third party sites is at the user’s own risk, is being provided for informational purposes only and is not a solicitation to buy or sell any of the products which may be referenced on such third party sites.

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